A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nafplio vs. La Rochelle for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nafplio or La Rochelle? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a beautiful, picturesque, and romantic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a laid-back, quaint, and charming coastal town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nafplio and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Rochelle. Although Nafplio and La Rochelle are both popular with visitors, La Rochelle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Rochelle is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Nafplio is known for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Nafplio is more touristy than La Rochelle and is known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. La Rochelle is popular for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting. It is also home to The Old Port.

How is Nafplio different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Rochelle and Nafplio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both La Rochelle and Nafplio.

Nafplio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

Many visitors head to La Rochelle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

Is the Food Better in Nafplio or La Rochelle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, La Rochelle is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nafplio makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is great for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Nafplio for the nightlife scene. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and La Rochelle are good choices.

Nafplio is a good option for a beach vacation. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Many people head to La Rochelle to enjoy the beach. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

The rich history of La Rochelle can be explored in its historical center. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nafplio is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle is a good destination for hiking. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Nafplio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Nafplio and La Rochelle.

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

La Rochelle is a great destination for shopping. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or La Rochelle.

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Rochelle. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

La Rochelle makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Couples visit Nafplio frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and La Rochelle are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

La Rochelle is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Students?

La Rochelle is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit La Rochelle. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Nafplio is not popular with students.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Nafplio and La Rochelle.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

You'll find some public transit in La Rochelle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Nafplio or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Nafplio is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its ease of walking around.

Nafplio is a very easy city to get around on foot. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

La Rochelle is a very walkable destination. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nafplio Worth Visiting? and Is La Rochelle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Nafplio or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in La Rochelle due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

Families should spend more time in La Rochelle than Nafplio. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in La Rochelle, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in La Rochelle than Nafplio. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Rochelle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Rochelle than Nafplio if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in La Rochelle.

One day in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque city of Nafplio. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the romantic destination of Nafplio. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that La Rochelle has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

The beautiful city of Nafplio offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nafplio. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Since La Rochelle is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Nafplio and La Rochelle, we can see that La Rochelle is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nafplio Expensive? and Is La Rochelle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or La Rochelle?

La Rochelle has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and La Rochelle, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Nafplio or La Rochelle?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nafplio or La Rochelle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and La Rochelle. The summer months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to La Rochelle this time of year.

In July, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Rochelle this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than La Rochelle. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as La Rochelle. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to La Rochelle for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Nafplio is a little warmer than La Rochelle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than La Rochelle. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to La Rochelle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Nafplio is much warmer than La Rochelle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than La Rochelle during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or La Rochelle in the Spring?

Both La Rochelle and Nafplio during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to La Rochelle for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In April, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the spring, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than La Rochelle. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as La Rochelle. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Nafplio